Versatile Muir about to play another new role

Greer Muir and her Matatu team-mates are looking forward to Super Rugby Aupiki starting this...
Greer Muir and her Matatu team-mates are looking forward to Super Rugby Aupiki starting this weekend. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
Greer Muir started out in the Otago midfield, shifted to the loose forwards and now looks set cover the lock position for Matatu when Super Rugby Aupiki gets under way in Taupo this weekend.

But there is a limit to her flexibility.

"I’ve always said if I get to the front row, that’s it, I’m retiring," the 28-year-old joked yesterday.

Retirement is some way off at the moment, though.

Everything is too new and too exciting to contemplate the end.

She gets to be part of history when women’s rugby makes is first step into professionalism on Saturday.

Covid-19 has forced a few changes from what was initially planned.

The inaugural Aupiki tournament will now be entirely staged in Taupo and compressed into two weeks.

The four teams — Matatu, Blues, Hurricanes and Chiefs — will play a three-game round robin with the top two teams progressing to the final on March 20.

Matatu’s opening game is against the Hurricanes and there is some early hype around the Southerners.

"It is all very exciting," Muir said.

And just maybe a championship is on offer.

"You get to be a full-time athlete and play that next level of rugby, which is pretty cool," Muir said.

"Obviously, it is our goal to make the final."

The bulk of this squad is from the dominant Canterbury team.

"I think we have a really good chance.

"It’s a really strong squad on paper.

"But you never know on game day."

Technically, Muir is one of three Otago players in the Matutu squad. She is joined by lock Julia Gorinski and midfield back Kilisitina Moataane.

But here is the thing: Muir moved to Christchurch just before Christmas and has taken on a carpentry apprenticeship.

That likely spells the end of her Otago career.

She made her debut for the Spirit in 2011 and has played more the 60 games for the province.

While it will be strange to play against her old side, she is looking forward to being in a different environment.

"It was sort of time for me to leave Dunedin. I gave my heart and soul to Otago rugby. But now I just want to enjoy my rugby again.

"A change of environment has been exactly what I needed. I’m loving the training up here, so it has been really good."

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